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Dates to begin the planned expansion of OSU's Don Scott Airport remained uncertain yesterday while university and airport officials continued to finalize a federally required environmental assessment and keep up communications with concerned citizen groups.
The proposed expansion, which calls for the lengthening of the airport's north runway and the erection of other airport hangers and facilities, has been the target of much criticism from Worthington area officials and citizen groups, most notably We Oppose Ohio State (airport) Expansion (WOOSE).
In reference to a Columbus Dispatch report released Monday that claimed the project has been stalled by expansion opponents, Don Scott Airport Director Doug Hammon said he disagrees with the assertion.
"No, we're not at all stalled right now," Hammon said in response to the Dispatch article. "The plan is on a schedule and the main reason construction hasn't occurred is because both the university and the airport want to make sure the job is done as thoroughly as possible.
"Really, the project is right on schedule with the 2005-2008 completion goal originally set."
College of Engineering Dean William A. Baeslack III reiterated Hammon's statements. He said the thorough completion of federally required noise studies are still being conducted along with tying together of other loose ends in revising the original environmental report, which Baeslack said has no finalized completion date.
"There is a presentation to a committee of the Board of Trustees scheduled in June to go over the current analysis being conducted along with financial ramifications and community reactions," Baeslack said.
He also said that the June presentation is not to set dates for construction, but to be sure the most comprehensive job is taking place. Citizen groups such as WOOSE might have been misled to believe yesterday's and other meetings were to actually complete plans to start renovations, which could explain Monday's Dispatch article, Baeslack said.
Members of WOOSE said they are remain hesitant to use the term stalled when speaking of the construction delays, but remain certain their efforts are not in vain.
"I don't want to say stalled, it's more or less in a holding period now," outgoing WOOSE president Tony Pello said.
Both Pello and acting WOOSE president Dennis Hennen said they agree they are pushing for project officials to take a more objective look into how the expansion's effects will be a detriment to the surrounding community.
"If a cost/benefit analysis was conducted, the amount of gain for the entire area as a whole would pale in comparison to the damages and burdens placed upon the community," Pello said.
"I find it hard to believe the airport and university aren't interested in a higher volume of jet traffic and income from a project estimated around $22-26 million just to maintain the current amount of profit," Pello said.
Hammon said lengthening the north runway to 6,000 feet is something that needs to be done to serve what the airport already has today, not what they expect to attract in the future.
"The main mission is always to serve the university and the academic programs at the airport," Hammon said. "When you go to the hospital, you expect for the medical students to have access to the most up to date equipment and facilities. The same goes for the aviation students here."
"We just want what's best for the community and its residents," Pello said. "In no way are we trying to cripple the university or their academic goals."
While construction dates remain in limbo, Hammon and Baeslack both said the university will continue to be in frequent contact with Worthington officials and citizen groups and that further talks are scheduled to be held in the near future.
"After the June presentation with the Board, we will be holding meetings to reiterate exactly what was detailed," said Baeslack.
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